CH633374A5 - AUTOMATIC MICROFILM CAMERA. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic microfilm camera, and more particularly to cameras controlled by electronic logic controls or similar devices.

The term "electronic logic control" is used broadly here to refer to any convenient electronic logic and control unit that has computer-like control capabilities. The term therefore covers all facilities that can be used for such purposes.

Microfilming is a process in which scaled-down images of documents are formed one after the other in a photographic manner, usually on successive individual images of a roll of film. The process of microfilming involves moving the documents into a copy area, exposing the film and then removing the document from the copy area. During this process, it is often necessary for an operator to perform special functions for special documents that may be fed to the camera in an arbitrary order. For example, the documents can be printed on both sides, so that there is a need to photocopy one side and then photocopy the other side after turning the document. Of course, the images of these two sides should lie in successive individual images of the same microfilm roll. Furthermore, it may be necessary to vary the exposure time in a way that cannot be predetermined, since the documents have different reflectivities and are supplied in an arbitrary order.

It has been quite difficult to develop a fully automatic microfilm camera because it is desirable to automatically feed the documents and stop the automatic feed to perform special processing, as is often the case with such methods. For this reason, in the case of conventional “automatic” cameras, an operator still had to stay with the camera in order to enter the corresponding information into it if special processing was required. These are just a few of many examples that could be given to show how the automatic microfilm cameras and their human operator must work together. The need for this collaboration has so far made it difficult to create a fully automatic microfilm camera.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved automatic microfilm camera. Here again, it is a goal to create a fully automatic camera that performs all normal and additional functions without the need for direct and constant human supervision. However, it is also an object of the invention to provide a human-machine interface that allows the machine and human surveillance to work closely together.

Another object of the invention is to provide a document transport with an automatic interruption possibility, so that individual documents can be fed into a film sequence by hand at certain points without the automatic transport being finally ended.

Another object of the invention is to provide a conveniently operated microfilm camera with a cassette loading facility, automatic document transport, document feed interruption and the ability to handle a wide variety of different types of documents (e.g. mixed documents of different sizes , Documents on different types of paper, books, punch cards, fan folded paper etc.).

Another object of the invention is to provide a microfilm camera that can record in one of two document orders (e.g. in order from oldest to newest document, or from newest to oldest, from highest to lowest file number, from the lowest to the highest file number), but the reading takes place only in the desired order (e.g. from the oldest to the newest document). Here again, it is a goal to allow a readout option in an order that is opposite to the order in which the documents were fed to the camera.

The invention is characterized by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The microfilm camera according to the invention can be controlled by an electronic, logic control circuit. An automatic document transport system can deliver individual documents from a stack of documents and these,

one by one, lead through the camera. If the operator desires an interruption in the document transport (for example, if a double-sided copy is required), he can insert a special card in the document stack, directly above the two-sided document. The operator can also key in any desired file number that can be automatically recorded on the microfilm alongside a selected image. If desired, the documents can be fed into the document transport system either chronologically or in reverse chronological order. Automatic search «blip» marks can be recorded along one of the two edges of the film. If the documents are recorded in chronological order, the blip marks can be recorded on one edge. If the documents are recorded in reverse chronological order, the blip marks can be recorded on the opposite edge of the film. Thus, the film can either be read directly as it is wound on the take-up reel, or it can be rewound before read-out in order to display the recordings in the desired order regardless of the order of the recording.

The terms "chronological" or "reverse chrono5

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logical »have only exemplary character here. In fact, the order can be either alphabetical or numerical, or vice versa alphabetical or numerical. In the same way, the documents can be photocopied in any other desired order or in a reverse order. It is essential that the order of the photocopying can be reversed for the reading process.

The microfilm camera, which can be controlled by means of an electronic logic control circuit, can have an automatic feed / stack loader which is intended for receiving documents which may be in arbitrarily mixed sizes, for photographing the same and for subsequently storing the documents in a storage compartment. The automatic feeding can be interrupted so that individual documents can be copied in between. The automatic feed can then be restarted, with the new start at the point of the previous interruption. Several sensors can be provided which respond to the documents in order to control both the shutter speed and the triggering of the exposure. Various types of documents can be processed, including fan-folded computer printouts, which require a Zak drive wheel to be transported.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 is a perspective view of an automatic microfilm camera according to the invention,

2 is a perspective view of the automatic stacker document transport and mechanism for a single sheet to be inserted during the stacker break.

3 is a perspective view showing a trunnion drive wheel for transporting fan-folded documents through the microfilm camera;

4 is an exploded view of individual parts of a film transport mechanism used in the microfilm camera;

5 shows two top views of header cards that are used to create an interface between the operator and the automatic camera of FIG. 1, without the need for continuous operator monitoring, and

6 and 7 together a schematic circuit diagram (which is merged in accordance with FIG. 8), the electronic control device for the microfilm camera.

1 shows the structure and the essential features of the microfilm camera according to the invention. A housing 20 contains a receptacle 22, a cassette guide 24, electronic control devices 26, a control plate 28 and a keypad 30 for generating a single image identification signal. A toggle switch 31 is used to switch the power on / off. A lid 32 is pivotable about a hinge 33 to cover, hide, and protect the camera's inner workings 22, 24, 26 and 30. The cover 32 is shown in the drawing in the open or operating position.

A cassette 34 has two removable cartridges 38 and 40, containing unexposed film on one side and exposed film on the other. The film 42 running out of one cartridge runs into the other cartridge via an exposure cross member. With a four-position switch 41, one of four film speeds can be selected. Of course, another arrangement can also be provided to make a selection between any number of film speeds.

When all of the unexposed film has run from the storage cartridge 40 into the receiving cartridge 38, the full receiving cartridge 38 is removed from the cassette 34 and the empty supply cartridge 40 is changed to the receiving location. Next, a new or replacement film supply cartridge is mounted in the cassette 34 in the location previously occupied by the cartridge 40. The film 42 is drawn from the new storage cartridge 40 via rollers 46 and 44 behind guide pins 48 and 50 and wound onto a spool in the empty cartridge, which now occupies the part of the cassette for the holding cartridge 38. The freshly loaded cassette is then inserted into the the guide 24 sunk, positioned correctly, and the lid 32 is closed.

In the front part of the housing 20 there is a copy area or a photographic station 51 which has an inclined shelf 52 with an upper glass plate 54 defining the copy area and a hinged cover 56 which is pivoted into the position shown in FIG. 1 or in a document feed position shown in FIG. 2 can be lowered 20. In the swiveled-up position, a book or other extensive document can be placed on the glass plate 54 with the surface to be photographed facing downward. By pressing the pushbutton 57, an individual photographic image can be taken from such a book when the cover 56 is open. In short, the automatic microfilm camera has a batch feeder 58 for receiving and automatically transporting a plurality of documents, the documents being passed one by one past the copying area or photographic station 51 and arriving at a tray 59. During this document transport, a pair of photodetectors 60 and 61 detect the presence of each document being transported when its leading edge interrupts the light falling on the detector. The stack feeder 58 responds to the photodetector 60 to transport the documents. The recording device 22 works in dependence on the photodetector 61 in order to expose the microfilm 42 and to create a photographic image of the document thereon when it is in the copying area. A sensor 62 sets the exposure time of the camera as a function of the light intensity reflected by the document located in the copying area.

More specifically, when the lid 56 is closed, the documents are pulled one by one from the underside 45 of a stack of documents located in the bin of the stack feeder 58 and are slid over the glass plate 54 under the lid 56. In order to facilitate this movement of the documents, the underside of the cover 56 contains a number (here five) of transport belts (two of which have the reference number 63). These belts are driven by a common shaft (not shown) which in turn is rotated by a gear 64 mounted in the cover 56. When the cover 56 is opened, the gear 64 is not in engagement with other drive gears 55 within the housing 20 and the belts 63 cannot run. When the cover 56 is closed, the gear 64 meshes with the drive gear (not shown) and the belt can run when the drive gear is running.

6o Immediately below the belts 63, and driven by them, there are free running idler gears (one of which is designated 65). If the cover 56 is closed, the intermediate wheels 65 are rotated if the belts 63 engaging herewith run at this time. 65 The two photodetectors 60 and 61 arranged on the underside of the cover 56 receive upward light from two lamps (not shown) through the glass plate 54. This way, the leading edge of each document cuts

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the light incident on the photo detectors 60 and 61 one after the other. The stack feeder 58 can automatically operate in response to the photodetector 60 to transport documents in the manner discussed above. Accordingly, the recording device 22 s can be operated automatically as a function of the photodetector 61 in order to photograph an image of a document on the microfilm 42 when the document is positioned on the glass plate 54.

Means are provided for displaying a number io next to each document when it is in the copy area. This number representation is operated manually so that any selected file number can be recorded on the microfilm next to the photographic document image. is

More specifically, at frame 70 on the underside of lid 56, a frame identification number display for marking the microfilm appears, and at the same time, at point 71 on control plate 28, this value appears as information for the operator. This display device 20 can consist of LEDs (light-emitting diodes), as are used in conventional pocket calculators. Each number that is keyed in the keypad 30 is thus also displayed at the positions 70 and 71. If the cover 56 is closed, the displayed image appears at point 70 in a number display device 72 next to the document copying area and is therefore photographed together with the document which is lying on the glass plate 54. Alternatively, the operator can operate the keyboard on the keypad 30 and the displays at positions 70 and 71 are automatically reset to 30 any desired start number, for example "0000". For this reason, the operator can enter any desired and convenient file number that will be recorded as a file number next to the document image on the microfilm. 35

The number shown can be automatically increased by one digit depending on each photographed picture. Another manipulation of the number is just as possible, so that several entries can be made under a single file number, for example. 40

The stack of documents to be photocopied is placed upside down in the tray of the stack feeder 58, from which the documents are transported one by one, past the glass plate 54 where they are photographed before being placed in the tray 59 45 will. A transport belt 80 is arranged in the vicinity of the lower edge 82 of the storage area of the stack feed device 58 and is driven in direction A for transporting the documents into the gap between the belts 63 and the intermediate wheels 65. The belt 80 is arranged an amount d 50 away from the edge 82 of the lower edge of the storage area of the stack feed device 58. Edge 82 positions the bottom edge of all documents to be copied in a normal upright position or the top edge of all copied documents in an inverted position. Thus, the distance 55 d is equal to the minimum height of the smallest document that can be transported by the stack feed device 58. Smaller documents must be placed on the glass plate 54 by hand. All documents whose length or width is greater than the distance d can be transported. Therefore, the documents can be of any length or width (up to the height of the glass sheet 54) and the different lengths can be arbitrarily mixed.

In a cover 84 there is a drive belt 86 (see FIG. 2) which rotates in the direction R, that is to say opposite to the direction A. The drive belt 86 has a shape that tends to fan out the stack of documents and that pushes back all of the documents toward the tray of the stack feeder 58 except the lowest document which is carried in the A direction by the belt 80. A shield 88 aids in feeding each document to the interface of belts 86 and 80. A button 90 (FIG. 1) adjusts the vertical distance of the drive belt 86 relative to the belt 80. Therefore, an interference is created between the drive belt 86 and the belt 80 which prevents all documents except the lowermost document from moving forward. The button 90 can be adjusted, if necessary, to accommodate documents of different thicknesses and to take into account the wear of the parts.

A stack of documents of sorted lengths can therefore be mixed at random and inserted with the side to be copied facing down into the storage area of the stack feed device 58. The "record" push button 77 is then actuated. The belt 80 then individually transports the documents from the underside of the stack in order to feed them to the belts 63, which transport the documents through the photographic station 51 past the copying area 54 in order to deposit them in the bin 59.

Means are provided to automatically interrupt document transport so that a single document can be fed through the document transport mechanism during the interruption period. After that, the automatic document transport is started again, and the transport continues feeding documents from the point of interruption.

While a batch of documents is being processed, there may be various occasions or conditions when it is desirable to stop automatic feeding and insert a new document in this manner. For example, it may be desirable to photocopy the back of a document that is already in the stack. Therefore, when this document appears, the machine stops automatically in a manner to be explained below in connection with FIG. 5. (Fig. 5 shows a header card that can be placed between the documents on the batch feeder.)

To feed a single document during an interruption of the feed, the top of the cover 84 is provided with a beveled surface 92 which guides and directs a document into a slot 94 between the cover 84 and the cover 56 (when it is closed). The underside of the slot 94 is located directly in front of the gap between the belts 63 and the intermediate wheels 65. The angle of the surface 92 causes the manually entered document to be guided into the gap.

To copy two pages of a single document in adjacent frames of a microfilm strip, a header card (shown in FIG. 5) is inserted into the document stack directly above the two-sided document. The header card is transported like all documents, but not photocopied. It stops the automatic document transport mechanism (i.e. belt 80). The conveyor belts 63 continue to move into the copying area 54. Thus, the next document in the stack can be turned, inserted into the slot 94, and brought into engagement with the transport belts 63 at a point between the stack loader of the stack feeder 58 and the copying area 54. The second page of the hand-fed document is copied when it is moved into the copying area 54. The automatic document feeder is then restarted when a signal dependent on the closure of the closure is transmitted to the feed control system.

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The tray of the stack feeder 58 and the tray 59 are only hooked into the photographic station 51, which is part of the housing 20. Therefore, these parts can be unhooked and removed by touching and tipping them slightly, in order to be replaced by other suitable containers (not shown) or 5 shelves. This allows many different types of documents to be taken into account. For example, there is a great need to microfilm computer printouts folded into a fan shape. Typically, such fan-shaped folded paper has a series of toothed drum holes along each edge to facilitate the transport of the paper by means of a pin drive wheel.

The pin drive wheel assembly may optionally be provided for transporting continuous strip documents that are perforated along each edge 15 (as is the case, for example, in fan-folded computer printouts), to transport the document through the microfilm camera. These pin drive wheels can be selectively activated or deactivated. 20th

To read and photograph a perforated continuous strip or fanned document, parts 58 and 59 are removed. Then a pair of pin drive wheels 100 and 102 (see FIG. 3) are released from latches 96 and 98 and pivoted out in direction B. The locks 96 and 98 can simply be hand-operated leaf springs that are pressed out of individual catch slots. The pin drive wheels 100 and 102 are then pivoted to a position where they engage the perforation of the fan-folded paper. 30 If the wheels are raised in this way, the leaf spring bolts of the locks 96 and 98 snap into other catch slots 104 and 106. One of the pin drive wheels, 102, can be manually shifted in direction D and E to adjust the distance of the wheels according to the width of the fan-shaped paper.

After the pin drive wheels are properly adjusted, appropriate containers can be attached to either side of the photographic station 51 if necessary. Otherwise the fanned paper can simply lie on the floor under 40 of the camera. The pin drive wheels 100 and 102 then transport the fan-folded paper. After all of the paper has been photographed, the locks 96 and 98 are released and the pin drive wheels 100 and 102 are pivoted back in the direction C to a rest position. Thereafter, the conventional parts 58 and 59 are replaced in their normal position.

A device is provided for transporting the microfilm through the camera. This film transport device has a cassette which carries a preloaded film supply 50. The film runs out of the cassette and then back into the cassette. The associated camera is operated in dependence on the insertion of the cassette in order to grasp the leaking film and to guide it past a format area of the camera. 55

The essence of this film transport mechanism is shown in FIG. 4. The details of the cassette 34 itself are described in Donald Axelrod's US application “Web Cassette with Cartridge Load”. Therefore, a detailed explanation should be omitted here. eo

The important components of the film transport mechanism are the cassette guide 24, V-toothed coupling halves 110, 112, 114 and 116, an AC motor 118, a drive roller 120 and a pressure roller 122, and a film transport signaling device 124. A push button 27 65 (FIG. 1) is actuated to energize a cartridge release solenoid (see FIG. 7) which releases a hook 129 (FIG. 4) on the cartridge guide 24. The guide 24 swings in

Direction F about a pair of pivot points (one of which is shown at 126) when loading is in progress, and guide 24 swings in direction G when the camera is operating. The supply cartridge 40, which contains a spool of unexposed film, is assigned the coupling half 110 provided with V-teeth, while the recording cartridge 38, which contains an empty spool, is assigned the coupling half 112. If the cassette guide 24 swings in the direction G into the operating position, the coupling half 110 comes into engagement with the other coupling half 114, while the coupling half 112 engages with the coupling half 116. Furthermore, the film 42 becomes dependent on this operating positioning of the cassette guide 24 automatically moved by a certain amount so that the entire veiled film is transported across the format area.

At the time the cassette is loaded into the cassette guide 24, the film transport mechanism is stopped, and a pressure plate 127 and a pressure plate carrier 128 are open. Furthermore, the pressure roller 122 is moved away from the drive roller 120. Therefore, when the guide 24 swings in the G direction, the film 42 is pushed under the pressure plate 127 between the drive roller 120 and the pressure roller 122. The respective positions of the parts 127 and 128 are controlled by a cam 130 which is shaped so that it keeps these parts open when the film 42 moves during camera operation so that the film is not scratched. Once the cartridge is in the recording position, the platen roller 122 causes the film to engage the drive roller 120 and the motor 118 is energized for ten cycles.

to advance the veiled film across the format area. After these ten cycles, the cam 130 is in a position in which the pressure plate carrier 128 is moved to a closed position and a spring 138 is biased, the floating pressure plate 127 holding the film 42 flat in the format area. Therefore, each time a document is photographed, the cam 130 is rotated to open the platen carrier 128, the drive roller 120 advances the film 42, and the platen carrier 128 returns to its original closed position. This sequence of events occurs after each photographing of a document and is controlled by one turn of the cam 130.

The coupling half 114 equipped with V teeth is connected to the signaling device 124, which generates signals which indicate a stuck film, a low film supply and the film length. In particular, pulses are generated when a transparent disk 140 rotates and each of the lines 142 placed thereon interrupts a light beam. The mechanism for moving the film past the format area 152 is very reliable and creates a precise movement sequence. However, the angular rotation of the transparent disc 140 varies as a function of the diameter of a film roll on a spool belonging to the coupling half 110. If the spool is almost full, only a very small turn of the angle is necessary to advance the film sufficiently over a format range. If the spool is almost empty, a very large angular rotation is required to move the film by this amount. In a purely hypothetical example, maybe five pulses can be generated when the spool is full and 25 pulses when the spool is almost empty.

A first function derived from the signaling device 124 is to detect a stuck or completely used film. If the film is stuck or the end of the film unwound from the spool is reached, no pulses are detected while the film 42 is being moved past the format area 152. An intervention in the camera is thus necessary, and a corresponding light or other signal can be provided to indicate this.

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A second function derived from the signaling device 124 is to monitor the remaining length of the unexposed film. For example, in the purely hypothetical example mentioned above, 25 pulses can be generated if only about 90 cm of film remain on the spool. This amount of film is sufficient to complete a production run for microfilming a set of documents; therefore, a "film supply low" signal is issued.

A third function is to provide an indication of the remaining film length. Since the number of pulses generated as a single section of the film advances varies with the diameter of a roll of film on a spool, the electronic logic controller can query a table under a heading listing the number of pulses. With this data obtained by checking the table, the controller can cause any suitable display device to display the remaining film length that can still be exposed.

The number of pulses read by the disk 140 in response to a given film advance may also depend on other factors, such as whether the disk is stopped immediately before or immediately after a read pulse, or how tightly the film is wrapped. Therefore, the electronic logic control is designed to always keep a running average of the pulses counted during each of the last six film feeds.

The rotating plate 140 is fastened to the coupling half 114 arranged on the film supply side and provided with V-shaped teeth. Lines 142 are uniformly radially mounted on disc 140. A combination of light source and photodetector 144 generates a pulse each time line 142 passes to interrupt the light falling on the photodetector. If the film gets stuck, no pulses will be generated should the toothed coupling half 114 rotate. If the supply spool runs empty, this results in a larger angular movement for each film feed. Therefore, the photodetector 144 generates a larger number of pulses.

If a predetermined number of such pulses are generated in response to each film advance after exposure, a corresponding "end of film" signal is given by turning on a light at 146 (Fig. 1); alternatively or additionally, a sound alarm signal can be emitted. Furthermore, the automatic filming sequence is ended by a "little film" signal. If desired, the signal generated by this photodetector 144 can be used to indicate to the user that a certain amount of film is still left in the film cartridge by comparing the number of pulses generated at each full feed with a table of predetermined pulses.

If additional microfilm images are desired on the same spool, the operator can manually press push buttons 77 and 125 to operate the camera, one frame at a time. The arrangement can be designed in such a way that a suitable number of documents can be copied manually after a “little film” signal ends the automatic feeding. In one embodiment, the arrangement enables an additional 50 documents to be copied manually. When the film is actually used up, the detector 144 no longer emits pulses and the camera can no longer be actuated for the purpose of further advancement.

The automatic camera according to FIG. 1 feeds the film in a pre-loaded cassette by a certain length, the film executing this feed in successive individual image steps. The cassette is loaded into the camera and the film is automatically advanced by a certain amount, preferably ten frames. If the film is stuck, a "stuck film" signal is generated by detector 144 to signal the camera to eject the cassette. When the operator desires to eject the cassette, the camera is automatically operated to force the film to advance a specified amount, such as ten frames.

10 The format area 152 under the pressure plate 127 is shown in detail within the dash-dotted line 154 in FIG. 4. In particular, a simple, preferably rectangular format window 145 is provided through which an image is projected before it hits the film. A pair of small 15 additional "blip" windows 158 and 160 are formed on opposite sides of the format window 156. (A "blip" is a mark that is recorded adjacent to each frame on the microfilm to facilitate the automatic search for a preselected frame.) 20 A separate light source 162, 164 in this case, a light-emitting diode, is underneath each "blip" -Windows 158 and 160 positioned so that the light from the light source hits the film through the corresponding «Blip» window 158 and 160, respectively. Therefore, if one of the two light sources is switched on, a corresponding “BIip” mark is recorded on the microfilm, specifically next to the image of the document that appears in the format window 156

The blip marks are counted during the readout, so that an automatic machine can find a special single image during the search. If this image to be searched on a microfilm roll is, for example, the tenth image, a counter can be set to 10. When the reader counts 10 blip marks, he stops the film in the same position that the blip windows 158 and 160 occupy with respect to the 35 format window 156 so that the image projected during the readout process is in the format area of the microfilm reader.

An additional large blip mark can be recorded on either side of the film by turning on either light source 162 or 164 during the time the film is being transported to divide the recorded images into sets or files. If, for example, the third file recorded on a microfilm reel is to be accessed, the automatic viewfinder 45 counts three large blip marks on the film and then stops.

In one embodiment, the arrangement used to record a blip mark consists of a slit that is 42.3 x 10 ~ 6 cm wide. A light source is located under the slot. When the film is held flat in the format area and the camera shutter opens, the light source is switched on and the blip mark is formed on the film. If the photocopied document is the first in a set of documents, the light is turned on during the period in which the film 55 is being transported. The light is turned on for a period of time sufficient to expose an area of 1.59 x 10-5 cm on the film. In this way, a small blip mark is recorded next to all of the microimages except for the first image in the set; In this picture, the blip mark 60 is almost three times as long as the narrow blip mark.

Means are provided for searching in the same order or direction regardless of the order or direction in which the images were recorded on the microfilm. More specifically, sometimes documents are added to the file in an order, for example in chronological order, sometimes the documents are added in reverse order, for example in reverse chronological order. So it can

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be convenient to record microfilm images in one of two orders. However, it may also be desirable to always read the images recorded on the microfilm in the same order (for example, the oldest document or the smallest file number is always found first).

According to the invention, the documents are arranged in the compartment of the stack feeder 58 with the head part at the top, and the light source 162 in the format area is switched on when the files are copied in the desired readout order. When a batch of documents is added to the file in reverse order to the desired readout order, push button 166 (Fig. 1) is actuated. The documents are then placed with the header at the bottom of the tray of the stacker 58 and the other light source 164 in the format area is turned on. The images are then recorded on the film in the order given, but the film is rewound for reading out in the order opposite to the recording order. In this way, the documents on the microfilm are always included in the file in the same order for reading, regardless of the order in which the documents were originally photographed.

Furthermore, because the documents reversed in the file were originally copied face down, with the blip mark positioned on the opposite side of the format area, the microfilm read in reverse order has the same image and blip mark orientation as it did is the case with the microfilm if the documents are copied in their desired file order. In this way, the automatic search equipment that reads the microfilm does not notice the differences, except that in one case the tops of the images are aligned.

The microfilm 42 is transported past the format window 156 and one of the light sources 162 or 164 used to form the blip marks is selected to form blip marks on one of the two opposite sides of the format area. This selection places a mark on the same relative side of the document image appearing in the format area during each exposure. The light source 162 for forming the mark on one side of the format area is selected when the documents are photographed in the "head-up" orientation. The other light source 164 for forming the marks on the other side of the format area is selected when the documents are inverted with respect to the "head-up" orientation in the original photographing. Since the blip mark on the microfilm always appears in the same relative position with respect to the “head-up” orientation of the microfilm image, the markings on the film can be read automatically.

A device is provided in order to operate the previously selected blip mark device with the light sources 162 or 164 for forming large blip marks depending on the exposure of selected documents. Thus, the previously selected light source 162 or 164, when used to form a large blip mark, can be used to divide the photographic images on the microfilm into files or sets. The previously selected blip mark device is operated as a function of special header cards (FIG. 5). These header cards are inserted between appropriately selected documents on the stack feeder 58.

The microfilm camera is controlled by an electronic control circuit, for example by the electronic logic control shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, it is desirable to have an interface between the operator and the control circuit. This interface is created by a number of coded header cards, two of which are shown in FIG. 5 for explanation.

5 Each header card contains a number of machine-readable markings, for example light-reflecting tapes, slots or holes, as indicated at 170. These slots are long enough so that they can be read by the photodetector 60 (FIG. 1) regardless of how badly (with 10 restrictions) they are misaligned as they pass through the copy area 54. The photodetector 60 generates a pulse train when the light striking it is interrupted by the slots 170 in the header card. Furthermore, the width and the distance between the slots 170 15 are selected such that the pulse train generated by the photodetector 60 is not duplicated by other machine-readable coding marks that may be detected by the control circuit of the microfilm camera. For example, many check and control marks are printed on punch cards, 20 which are normally read by computers. Therefore, the slots 170 must not resemble the holes in the punch cards that are likely to be photocopied by the camera of FIG. 1. Finally, slots 170 are evenly spaced so that the resulting pulses generated by photodetector 60 have a known and predictable number of transitions.

The camera operator has a number of these attachment cards with differently coded markings. For example, FIG. 5A shows a header card with 7 slots, FIG. 5B shows a header card with 3 slots. In addition, each header card also has an imprint that can be read by the operator. For example, the following can be printed on the header card according to FIG. 5A: “Double-sided copy 35 required”. 5B may read: "Set control". Of course, any other headings and slot numbers may be provided. Therefore, when the operator assembles a stack of documents for copying, he inserts a suitable header card whenever he considers it necessary or desirable for the microfilm camera to perform a special function. For example, at the beginning of a stack of documents relating to a single file, the operator can arrange a sentence tax header card according to FIG. 5.

This header card (Fig. 5B) passes through the machine when it is your turn, and photodetector 60 generates a 6-pulse train that commands a desired function. For example, the light source 162 or 164 (Fig. 4) can be turned on to form a sentence or file blip mark on the film and the sentence tax number is incremented. In this way, a very fast search can be performed by counting these sentence or file blip marks. A document-by-document search can then be carried out at a lower speed by counting the small blip marks which are assigned to each document. Furthermore, the electronic logic controller 200 is programmed in such a way that the sentence control header card resets the 60 document number displayed at positions 70 and 71, or enables successive numbers to be displayed. Each of these modes of operation can be controlled by the operator by pressing push button 74.

If the header card shown in FIG. 5A is inserted into the stack 65 of documents, the automatic feeding is interrupted. The operator can flip the last copied document and manually insert it into slot 94 and then restart automatic feeding.

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Similarly, any number of header cards can be provided to command the camera to perform any functions. Like all documents, each header card is transported through the machine. However, none of the header cards are actually copied by the camera. 5

The microfilm camera explained above is controlled by some electronic control circuit, in this case by the electronic logic control 200 (shown in FIGS. 6 to 8). As already explained, the term “electronic logic control” is used in the broadest sense to designate not only special electronic devices, but also all subordinate or interacting devices that are necessary to form a functional system, such as logic and control circuits, logic elements, signal channels and the like. 15

The inputs to this electronic logic controller are provided by the document photodetectors 60 and 61, the light intensity sensor 62, the signaling device 124 and a lamp error sensor 202, all of which are contained in the housing 20 and by light sources (not 20 shown) are illuminated. The outputs of the electronic logic controller 200 are positions 70 and 71 intended for numerical displays, a row of lamps 146 and a number of couplings and solenoids 204, which are accordingly identified in the drawing. The detectors 60 25 to 62, the numerical display positions 70 and 71 and the lamp row 146 are also shown in FIG. 1. The signaling device 124 is also shown in FIG. 4. The lamp failure sensor 202 indicates when the lamp illuminating the document has burned out. Each of the clutches or 30 solenoids 204 is excited by an associated driver amplifier 206 which is triggered and controlled by the electronic logic controller 200.

The document scan channels 220 and 222 signal the electronic logic controller 200 when a document interrupts the light falling on the associated photodetectors 60 and 61. More specifically, each of the document photodetectors 60 and 61 includes a photosensitive element which is biased against a pair of resistors 212 and 214, or 216 and 218, each connected between the battery and ground. Each of these photodetectors is interconnected to drive the individually assigned document scan channels 220 and 222, as described in detail in John R. Flint's patent application entitled Electronic Electronic 45 Detector Circuitry with on December 29, 1975, file number 644,798 Feedback Control ». Therefore, a detailed explanation should be omitted here.

Thus signals appear on line 223 which indicate whether or not a document interrupts the light 50 striking the photodetector 60. Similarly, signals appear on lines 224 to indicate the presence or absence of a document depending on whether light is incident on the photodetector 61 or not. In this way, the electronic logic controller 200 always knows whether a document is present and when it is correctly positioned between the sensors in the copy area.

Each of these document scanning channels should be able to be blocked or switched off by the logic controller 200 when the cover 56 of the microfilm camera is open 60, because then it cannot use its transport system. This switching off of the channel is effected in connection with signals which switch a main camera motor on and off. More specifically, when the main engine cannot run, logic controller 200 issues a disable signal over line 225, 65 and the disable signal turns on transistor 226. This can be the same signal that turns off the engine. The base of transistor 226 is by one of resistors 228 and

230 existing voltage dividers biased. When transistor 226 is turned on, ground potential is passed through diodes 232 and 234 to turn off or block document scan channels 220 and 222. If the cover 56 is closed again, the main motor can be driven again. Therefore, electronic logic controller 200 enables the main motor, thereby removing the disable signal on line 225 to turn off transistor 226 and remove ground potential from diodes 232 and 234, thereby releasing document scan channels 220 and 222 to to function again when documents are transported through the belts 63.

The light intensity sensor contains the photosensitive element 62, which is biased via a resistor 240 and through resistors 250 and a charging capacitor 242. The output is tapped from the emitter of photosensitive element 62 and fed to the positive input of a buffer amplifier 244, which has a unit voltage gain via negative feedback 246. A current limiting resistor 248 and a positive current feedback circuit consisting of the resistors 250 provide a bias and calibrate the current gain of the circuit.

A capacitor 252 is charged depending on the primary current flowing through resistor 248 and the secondary current flowing through resistors 250. As a result, the charging speed varies as a function of the intensity of the light falling on the photosensitive member 62. The speed of the charge arising at the capacitor 252 varies the duty cycle of a component 254. The response threshold value of the component 254 can be set by a potentiometer 256. The charge on the capacitor 252 reaches a predetermined level set by the potentiometer 256 after a variable period of time, which depends on the intensity of the light reflected from the document in the copying area 54, which is detected by the sensor 62. The capacitor 252 is discharged as a result of a short pulse that is supplied by the logic controller 200 via a control line 253. This pulse on line 253 signals that the electronic logic controller 200 has commanded the closure opening. At this point, capacitor 252 begins to charge, the rate of charge being determined by the amount of light reflected from the document. The required amount of charge is set by potentiometer 256. If the required charge is present, a comparator sends a signal to the electronic logic circuit, which closes the lock.

The output signal of device 254 is provided to logic controller 200 through resistor 258 and transistor 260 on line 259.

According to one embodiment, the electronic logic controller 200 emits a signal when the film supply is low, the controller displays the remaining film length and signals the status of a stuck film. More specifically, if the film supply is almost exhausted, the supply spool must continue to rotate for each exposure at each film feed because the amount of film wound on an almost empty spool is significantly less than the amount of film wound on a fresh spool. Therefore, several of the radial marks on disc 140 (FIG. 4) interrupt the light of an LED 264 that falls on photosensitive element 266. Each light interruption triggers the transmission of a pulse via a line 267 to the electronic logic controller 200. The signaling device 124 is pretensioned by setting a potentiometer 268.

11 633374

The output signal of the photosensitive element 266 146, which is used to display camera status information,

actuates a trigger circuit 270, for example to control it. More specifically, the display unit 280 contains a way that is a Schmitt trigger, a well-formed number of "N" numerical display digits. Are for example

to get th impulse. The shaped pulse is provided via a wise 7 such display points, the point shows

Resistor 272 and a transistor 274 on line 267 5 304 indicate the number in the hundreds of thousands while the and are given to the electronic logic controller 200. Digit 306 displays the number in the ones digit. The electronic logic controller 200 switches a lamp 276 of the lamp series logic controller 200 responds to the keypad 30

146 to indicate low film stock. Alternatively, signals to the display points 280 in a known manner can be controlled by the logic controller 200 on the front of the camera.

a film length scale io indicating the film that has already been read out, is the display unit 280 designed to, for example, 7

, or the controller 200 may turn on a "film-fixed digits to display and have run the electronic logic controller" lamp. After a signal "film supply low" 200 as well as decoders 318 and 320 designed to display the camera only responds to manual control parameters, e.g. 9 digits, the control capacity can either be reloaded until the film is actually loaded or actually used for the two non-existing digits can be used

is. 15 to selectively turn on position indicators. So for

A device is provided for displaying an example in the exemplary embodiment shown carrying out the electro-numerical readout value (FIG. 7), which is a conventional logic control via diodes forming an OR gate, for example for use in pocket calculators 322 signals to a memory or blocking circuit 324. The display device concerned is acting. Multiple display digits time within the display sequence when these signals take effect

280 are connected in parallel via lines 282, which become 20 sequentially, the decoder 318 outputs via an amplifier 326

mar signals in accordance with the desired numerical display to operate the blocking circuit 324. Be dependent. Another row of lines 284 is successively switched from this, switching any supply source via amplifiers.

cessive to release each of the display positions, ker 328 marks the lamps of the row of lamps 146 which are switched on or acted on so that the released positions remain one until the existing problems have been eliminated. So

For example, the number of 25 on lines 282 is the number that indicates a low film supply

Can give signals. Lamp off when a new film supply is loaded into the camera

The possibility of an unused numerical was.

Display is used to create the row of lamps

G

4 sheets of drawings

Claims (23)

633374 1. Automatic microfilm camera, characterized by a stack guiding device (58) for picking up and automatically transporting several documents to be microfilmed by the microfilm camera, which are then stored in a filing unit (59), a detector (60, 61) for determining the presence of each transported document, if this is in the copying area (54) of the microfilm camera, a device (200) responsive to the detector (60, 61) for actuating the microfilm camera in order to expose the microfilm and to produce photographic images of the documents thereon, while these are in the copying area (54), means for interrupting the operation of the stack feeder (58) to stop the automatic transport of the documents, an arrangement (94) for guiding a single document through the document transport path (63, 65) during the interruption, and a device for subsequent automatic renewal Start the batch feeder (58) to restart the automatic transport of the documents. 2. Camera according to claim 1, characterized in that with the detector (60) for determining the presence of each transported document from a by the stack feeder (58) in the copying area (54) conveyed header card, the control information for interrupting the operation of the stack feeder (58), this control information can be determined and a signal which interrupts the operation of the stack feeding device (58) can be generated. 3. Camera according to claim 1, characterized in that an electronic logic control (200) or another electronic control device is provided for controlling the operation of the microfilm camera and the stack feed device (58) in dependence on that of the detector (60, 61) delivered signals. 4. Camera according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one transport belt (80) is provided for moving the documents from the stack feed device (58) to the copying area (54), and that the device for feeding single documents has a slot (94) , through which a document on the conveyor belt (80) can be inserted at a point between the stack feed device (58) and the copying area (54). 5. Camera according to claim 4, characterized in that the transport belt (80) is arranged at a predetermined distance (d) from an edge (82) which is common to all documents, whereby the length of the documents need only be essentially as great how the predetermined distance (d) and above this distance can vary arbitrarily. 6. Camera according to claim 1, characterized in that a device (72) is provided for displaying a number next to each of the documents when the respective document is in the copying area (54), whereby the number shown the document on a shelf for Identifies the time of the number display, and that a device (30) is provided with which the number display device (72) can be operated manually, so that a preselected file number can be recorded on the microfilm adjacent to the photographic document image. 7. Camera according to claim 6, characterized in that a further detector is provided which is responsive to the transport of the documents past the copying area (54) in order to automatically advance the number display in a predetermined manner. 8. Camera according to claim 1, characterized in that a pin drive wheel arrangement (100, 102) is provided for transporting perforated, continuous strip documents through the copying area (54), and in that an arrangement (96, 98) is provided for selective insertion or Disengaging the pin drive wheel assembly, effectively positioning the pin drive wheel (100, 102) to only engage documents when they are perforated continuous strip documents that are transported through the microfilm camera . 9. Camera according to claim 1, characterized in that a device for the transport of the microfilm through the microfilm camera is provided which has a cassette (34) which contains a preloaded film (42) which is guided onto a web which runs out out of the cassette and then again into the cassette, and that a device (114, 116, 120, 122) belonging to the microfilm camera is provided, which operates in dependence on the insertion of the cassette (34) into the microfilm camera and with the film (42 ) comes into engagement in order to guide this past a format area (152) of the microfilm camera. 10. Camera according to claim 9, characterized in that the device engaging with the film has an arrangement (120, 122) by means of which the film (42) is slidably inserted sideways into the microfilm camera in the path leading out of the cassette. 11. Camera according to claim 9, characterized in that the device engaging the film has at least one coupling provided with V-shaped cams, the first half (110, 112) of which in the cassette (34), and the second half (114, 116) it is provided in the microfilm camera that a signaling device (124) which interacts with the second coupling half (114, 116) is provided in order to signal when the coupling is carrying out an angular displacement after a exposure which exceeds a predetermined angle, and that one which is responsive to the signaling device Control arrangement for emitting a camera control signal is provided. 12. Camera according to claim 11, characterized in that a low film supply can be indicated by the signal of the signaling device (124) in order to stop the automatic document transport, and that a manually operated switch device is provided, by which the display indicates a low film supply Signal can be passed over, so that additional images can be recorded until the film is used up and a file can be completed on the same film strip. 13. Camera according to claim 1, characterized by a format area (152) having at least two opposite sides, a device (120, 122) for transporting the microfilm (42) past the format area (152); means (158, 160) provided on opposite sides of the format area (152) for applying a photographable mark on a selected side of the format area (152) in response to each exposure by the microfilm camera, the means being selected for forming a mark on one of the pages when the documents are photographed in a first orientation and the means for forming markings on the other side is selected when the documents are photographed in a second orientation, whereby the marking on the film always in the same relative position of the document image appears on the film so that the markings on the film are automatically readable. 14. Camera according to claim 13, characterized in that a control device is provided for operating the previously selected marking device in dependence on the exposure of a preselected document, in order thereby to create a unique marking which divides the images on the microfilm into files or sets. 2nd 5 10th 15 20th 25th 30th 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 3 633374 15. Camera according to claim 14, characterized in that 22. Camera according to claim 1 for automatically recording that a device is provided, whereby a detection search mark on a microfilm, identified device can be operated as a function of attachment cards, by a format area (152 ), a pair of marking products, which can be selected between certain documents on the feeder (158, 160), each of which a stack of documents pia- 5 on a stack feeder is fed from two opposite sides of the format area (152). is arranged, a device (58) for feeding document 16. A camera according to claim 1, characterized in that elements which are provided in either a first or a second arrangement (280) are to be copied by the microfilm camera in order to display multiple orders. The readout values, which have a plurality of display signals connected in parallel and one for each exposure by the microfilm camera (304, ..., 306), have a device (320) which is a pre-responding device to selectively select one of the two markers. is to be operated for sequential actuation of the parallel positioning devices (158, 160) when the document len in accordance with a desired value display that a elements are copied in the first order and around the Device (318) is provided to successively operate each other marking device if the Approve each of the display locations (304 306) to copy the clearance documents in the second order. Given point for displaying a value in accordance with the 23 23rd camera according to claim 22, characterized in that it is to be acted upon, and that a display device that is responsive to the release that a device responsive to selected exposures is provided by an unused display point is optionally available one of the marking devices is provided in order to operate camera status information directions (158 or 160) in such a way that they indicate one. forms numerous markings. 17. The camera according to claim 1, characterized in that the method for controlling an automatic microfilm has a pin drive wheel arrangement (100, 102). The camera according to claim 1, with an automatic control switch transmission device (80) for automatic transport, characterized by the following Steps: a continuous, a pin transportable (a) loading and automatically transporting several Paper strips over the copying area (54) and an actuating device (96, 98) for depositing the pin drive 25 one after the other; wheel assembly (100,102) while not passing (b) determining the presence of each of the transportable documents that can be transported by a pin and documents, if this is within a copy area Transferring the pin drive wheel assembly (100, 102) into the microfilm camera, an operating position for the transport of a by a Zap- (c) actuation of the microfilm camera to the microfilm to fen transportable paper strips are provided. 30 expose and then photographic images of the documents 18. Create a camera according to claim 1 for processing a film while the documents in the copy area are in a preloaded cassette, the processing being in, successive film sections, marked (d) interrupting the camera operation in order to automatically by means of an arrangement (24, 126) for loading the cassette (34) into the transport of the documents, a housing (20), a loading-responsive input 35 (e) guiding a single document through the document direction (110, 112, 114, 116) for automatically driving the transport during the interruption period, and microfilm camera to the film by a certain amount (f) Automatic restart of the automatic transport to advance a device (124) for signaling transport which indicates a stuck film, starting from the point of the document at the end of the document, which signaled before the interruption. the microfilm camera to eject the cassette (34), and a method according to claim 24, characterized in that the control signal is responsive to each ejection signal to ensure that the workflow of the microfilm camera is carried out by electronically driving the microfilm camera in such a way that tronic logic control (200) is controlled, which, depending on this, advances the film a second time under the control of signals generated by a detector. the detector is triggered by the documents, 19. Camera according to claim 18, characterized in 45 while these are in the copying area. that the film is a microfilm (42) attached to a spool 26. The method according to claim 25, characterized by the following is that the signal indicating a stuck film is an additional step: Means (140) for generating signals in (cl) display values next to each of the documents, depending on the rotation of the film spool, and that if the document is in the copying area, a detection device is provided which, when the spool is 50 whereby the displayed values should identify the document in the copy rotation, identify an erroneous generation of the signal area at the time of the value display, and respond to stop the microfilm camera. (c2) operating the value display in such a way that any 20. Camera according to claim 19, characterized in that the selected file value or index on the microfilm adjoins that it has a guideway (24) which is bearded and recorded to the photographic document image in such a way that it can move between two positions that can be 55. the cassette (34) can be inserted into the guideway and from it 27. Method according to claim 26, characterized in that it can be seen when the guideway (24) is in one of the two positions and that a device is provided (c3) the value or index display is in a predetermined manner to terminate the automatic film advance depending on each exposure switched on Dependency of the movement of the guideway (24) in the eo. other of the two positions. 28. The method according to claim 27, characterized by the following 21. Camera according to claim 20, characterized in that additional steps: that a release device in the microfilm camera pre-signals (g) when there is a small film supply, is to move the guideway to one position, (h) stop the automatic document transport, and to eject the cassette (34), and that a controller responsive to this entry (65) i) passage of the low film supply indicator is provided for signals so that additional images can be taken. to use the second automatic feed of the film (42) until the film supply is exhausted, thereby releasing a file. same filmstrip can be completed. 633374 4th 29. The method according to claim 24, wherein the microfilm camera has a format area with at least two opposite sides and the film is transported past the format area, characterized by the following additional steps: (cl) placing a photographable mark on a selected side of the format area in response to each exposure performed by the microfilm camera, and (c2) Forming the markings on one of the sides when the documents are photographed in a first order and affixing them on the other side when the documents are photographed in a second order, thereby keeping the markings on the film always in the same relative position regarding the first order of document images appears on the film. 30. The method according to claim 29, characterized by the additional step: (c3) placing a unique mark on the preselected page of the format area in response to exposure of a predetermined document, whereby a unique mark on the preselected page divides the images on the microfilm into files or sets.